Bi-Lo of Franklin is currently in the middle of its annual five-week charity drive. Each year a different community organization is selected for the drive. This year the managers are raising money for CareNet. The goal for this year is $5,000.

Vanessa Bailey, director of CareNet, said that she is overwhelmingly grateful to the people of Bi-Lo for all of their hard work with this charity drive. “This comes at a very good time, especially with the economy the way it is,” she said. “We are a faith-based organization meeting the needs of the community, so we are not countyfunded. It is a constant struggle. Without the community there would be no CareNet.”

Bailey also pointed out that CareNet is a community- based organization and there is always a need to be met. Every bit of help from people and places like Bi-Lo “help take the weight off of our shoulders. Even if it is just $20, that is $20 more than we had before. So, larger events like this is a larger drop in the bucket,” which makes a difference in their ability to meet the constant demand of community needs.

“One hundred percent of everything we raise stays within this community,” said Lesa Jordan, general manager at Bi-Lo of Franklin. “So this is a way, as citizens and as a corporation, that we can give back to this community.”

Assistant Manager Josh Gardner, agrees that without community participation, the store could do all of the fundraisers they wanted but it wouldn’t do any good without the people’s support.

Bailey also commented that, to the volunteers, receiving help from places like Bi-Lo of Franklin is a real boost of motivation and hope.

Bi-Lo of Franklin holds different kinds of fundraisers to raise money, such as barbecues, cookouts and special sales and donations at the registers. But, the highlight of the charity drive is the upcoming golf tournament.

The tournament will be held at the Mill Creek Country Club, Wednesday, June 15. The tournament is open to the public. The cost is $50 per person and $200 per team. Raffles and door prizes will be offered as well. Anyone interested in signing up for the tournament can contact Lesa Jordan or Chris McGuire at the Bi-Lo store.